K.BLU Active Ambassador #6 - Maria Lourdes

Maria Lourdes wearing Prints sports bra and Black Tights from K.BLU Active wear. (quote kbluactive15 for a 15% off our first active wear collection)

Maria Lourdes Chan is of Chinese, Filipino and Spanish descent. At 32, she opened a yoga studio in East Coast where she grew up.  Her aim is to help others to live healthier, happier lives. Now 34, she continues to strive to get more people to get into yoga, and to inspire people to love themselves and live better lives.

1. Your Occupation?
I am an owner and director of Bikram Yoga Katong, which teaches Bikram Yoga – the original hot yoga. I’m a certified Bikram Yoga teacher, and a certified Hatha & Pre-natal Yoga teacher.
 
2. How are you able to juggle work and yoga workout?
As a yoga teacher, it is easy to give all your energy to your students and feel like you have nothing left – physically and emotionally - for your own practice. The key to not getting burnt out is to actually make sure you maintain a regular practice because that's where you get your energy back from.
Yoga class class is a gas station, it is the only place in the world where you gain energy, instead of losing it. Practicing recharges you and gives you back what you lost in terms of energy.

3. When did you start doing yoga?
I started after I sustained an ankle injury during a Muay Thai sparring session.
In 2009, I went to a Bikram Yoga class that my friend suggested to help with my injury, and I haven't looked back since.

4. How has yoga changed your lifestyle/improved your lifestyle?
Yoga gives me a sense of tranquility, allowing my body, mind and soul to be as one. Practing the yoga, teaching the yoga has taught me more comapssion, more patience, more determination, and more focus. I’ve gotten to know myself even more. I would say that yoga has given me the key and opened the door to my own personal self realization.

5. Any yoga poses that are meaningful to you? Or which poses are those you took a long time to achieve?
All the 26 postures in the Bikram Yoga series mean a great deal to me. 
Eagle Pose is one that has taken me a long time and I'm still working on it with a lot room yet to grow! 
What's great about yoga is as long as you trying the right way, and you don’t give up - that’s the ultimate destination.

6. Favourite pose?
Standing Head to Knee. It takes strength & flexibility and is one of the trademark Bikram Yoga poses. Triangle Pose, as it’s the only posture in the World where you use 100% of your body - every muscle, joint, organ and major gland.

7. What do you look for in a yoga wear?
Quality is #1. If a brand has taken the time and effort to source quality material and stitching, they will usually always have lovely and appealing designs, and a snug fit.
There’s nothing worse then something falling apart after a few washes. 

8. Any tips for beginners?
Come with no expectations. The goal as a beginner is to the best you can. Enjoy your session and have fun.  
 
9. How many times do you workout in a week?
I strive to practice yoga every day.  I usually make it into the hot room at least five times a week.

10. Any words for beginners to stay focus and determined?
Use  your English Bulldog determination, will power and Bengal Tiger Strength. Mind over the matter.

11. What is your definition of success?
Making your dreams come true. Have faith and never give up, no matter how tough something seems.

12. If you weren’t working in the job you are in now, what would you be doing instead?
I live by this: “Choose a job you  LOVE, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” If I wasn’t teaching yoga then maybe I’d have been a doctor? Just as long as I'm saving lives & helping people, I’m happy.

13. What is your ideal holiday?
I love to travel and do it as often as I can.
My Ideals are vast and ever changing, depending on my mood...If I’m feeling like the beach then I head to the Maldives. For hiking, it would be Hawai'i.  For shopping, nothing beats Paris and New York. The next big destination on the list would be South Africa to experience an eco-friendly Safari as I've been dreaming of doing that for awhile now.
But really, as long as I'm with loved ones and get a little pampering thrown in, I'm happy.

Maria Lourdes wearing Prints sports bra and Black Tights from K.BLU Active wear(quote kbluactive15 for a 15% off our first active wear collection)

14. What three values are most important to you?
Honesty, Love and Compassion.

15. Living in a sunny climate, what are some of your must-haves when it comes to your skin?
Embrace and love the sun as it's so good for you, I'm not a fan of sun screen.
But Creme de La Mer is my must-have for my skin in any climate.

16. What is one thing on your bucket list?
To see the Aurora Borealis.

17. Where do you see yourself in five years?
I would be about to turn 39. I think living life to its fullest and being happy would still be my top priority.

18. Is there a song lyric or a quote you live by?
"Laugh as much as you breathe & love as long as you live.
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."